SOCCER
Mali claim third place
Goals by Mahamadou Samassa, Seydou Keita and Sigamary Diarra gave Mali a 3-1 victory over Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations third-place playoff on Saturday. Samassa put his team in front in the 21st minute with a diving header following a good pass from Adama Tamboura. Man-of-the-match Keita made it 2-0 just after halftime, the midfielder ghosting into the penalty area to convert a cross by Ousmane Coulibaly. Ghana wasted a chance to get back in the match when Salif Coulibaly handled in the box and Mubarak Wakaso blazed his 58th-minute penalty high over the bar. Ghana eventually pulled one back when Kwadwo Asamoah beat goalkeeper Soumbeyla Diakite with a long-range drive in the 82nd minute. Then, as Ghana pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Mali caught them on the counterattack, with Diarra scoring three minutes into stoppage-time.
GOLF
Snedeker, Hahn share lead
FedExCup champion Brandt Snedeker maintained his sizzling form this season by moving into a two-way tie for the lead with fellow American James Hahn after the third round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Saturday. Snedeker, helped by a run of five birdies in six holes around the turn, fired a four-under 68 at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on a glorious sun-splashed winter’s day. That left him at 12-under 202 and level with USPGA Tour rookie Hahn, who carded a six-under 66 at Spyglass Hill, the most difficult of the three venues being used. Chris Kirk of the US was a further stroke back after a six-under 64 at Monterey Peninsula, but it was not a good day for defending champion Phil Mickelson, who triple-bogeyed the last at Pebble Beach for a 73 to finish right on the cut line.
GOLF
Sterne, Fisher lead by five
South Africans Richard Sterne and Trevor Fisher stretched their lead to five shots on Saturday after three rounds of the Joburg Open. Playing together, each fired a third-round 68 to share first place on 196, with compatriots George Coetzee, tournament favorite Charl Schwartzel, Jaco van Zyl and Chilean Felipe Aguilar on 201, the nearest challengers.
TENNIS
Nadal books place in final
Rafael Nadal looked sharp on Saturday as he booked a finals berth at the Chilean Open, his first event back from a seven-month injury absence. Nadal needed just 64 minutes to defeat third seed Jeremy Chardy of France 6-2, 6-2. In the other semi-final, Argentine Horacio Zeballos, ranked 73rd in the world, reached the second ATP final of his career with a 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) victory over eighth-seeded compatriot Carlos Berlocq.
TENNIS
Cilic to face Melzer in final
Home-crowd favorite Marin Cilic was to face fourth seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria in the Zagreb Indoors final yesterday. Top seed Cilic rallied to defeat defending champion Mikhail Youzhny of Russia 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday, while Melzer beat Robin Haase of the Netherlands 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.
TENNIS
Gasquet downs Nieminen
Third seed Richard Gasquet beat veteran Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 6-3, 3-6, 6-2 on Saturday to set up an all-French Open Sud de France final against eighth seed Benoit Paire, who overcame countryman Michael Llodra 4-6, 6-3, 6-1.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely